"First thing I thought about was my family - my family came from Ireland and came here and worked - the Irish were really looked down on," he added.

Lawmakers from both parties have fired back at Trump, who denied using certain "language" in Thursday's private meeting with lawmakers. Neither Trump nor the White House denied the most controversial of his comments: using the word "s--thole" to describe countries in Africa and saying he would prefer immigrants from countries like Norway instead.

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Utah Rep. Mia Love, the first black Republican woman elected to Congress and whose parents came from Haiti, called Trump's behavior "unacceptable from the leader of our nation." She said he should apologize.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was among some Republicans who called for Trump to explain himself.

"If these comments are accurate, they are disappointing. I would not talk about nations like this, because I believe the people of those countries are made in the image of God and have worth and human dignity," Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said.

And Sen. John McCain of Arizona said in his statement, "People have come to this country from everywhere, and people from everywhere have made America great. Our immigration policy should reflect that truth, and our elected officials, including our President, should respect it."

Among Democrats, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, said, "If the president can't control himself and lead this country with the authority, dignity and leadership it requires, then he shouldn't be the president. There's no room for racism in the Oval Office."

Hours later, Trump said on Twitter Friday morning that, "the language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!"

"In regards to Senator Durbin's accusation, we do not recall the President saying these comments specifically but what he did call out was the imbalance in our current immigration system, which does not protect American workers and our national interest," they said in a statement.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who also was at the meeting, said in a statement Friday, "Following comments by the President, I said my piece directly to him yesterday. The President and all those attending the meeting know what I said and how I feel. I've always believed that America is an idea, not defined by its people but by its ideals."

Republicans House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Rep. Robert Goodlatte of Virginia, both of whom also were in the meeting, also have not commented publicly. Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida did not address the president's comments in his statement, saying only that he was committed to trying to stop deportations of the beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy or DACA.

The president calling #Haiti a "shithole country" ignores the contributions thousands of Haitians have made to our #SoFla community and nation. Language like that shouldn't be heard in locker rooms and it shouldn't be heard in the White House

The men and women who have status under the TPS program are among the most humble and hard working in our country. They improve quality of life in our communities and many Americans depend on them to support family life.

HATCH: “I look forward to getting a more detailed explanation regarding the President’s comments. Part of what makes America so special is that we welcome the best and brightest in the world, regardless of their country of origin.” #utpol

The anniversary of the devastating earthquake 8 years ago is a day to remember the tragedy, honor the resilient people of Haiti, & affirm America’s commitment to helping our neighbors. Instead, we‘re subjected to Trump’s ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesn’t look like him.